France and Italy Hot Favorite for Group C

In Euro 2008, the toughest group is Group C. Italy, France, Romania and Holland are taking part in this group. In fact, all these four team have strong performance in world cup football for the last 30 years. Netherlands became runner in 1974 and 1978 world cup football. Netherlands also won EURO 1988. On the other hand, France won world cup football 1998 and they also won EURO 2000. France is also the current runner up of world cup football 2006. France has some really good players who have superb performance in England.

Italy is the current world cup football champion and a lot is expected from them. They will surely miss Francesco Totti and Alessandro Nesta and both of the players have retired. The main strong point of Italy is defense and Italy has very rich football tradition and reached the final of 1994 world cup. However, in EURO competition, Italy is not doing very well since 1996. In fact, since 1996, Italy has failed to reach the second round. So, EURO 2008 may become a tempting time for Italian football team. They will have to show some superb football.

Marco van Basten thinks that Italy is one of the hot favorites for EURO 2008. Many experts are predicting that Italy and France will move to the second round of EURO 2008.

Do you agree with it?

Marco van Basten Fells Italy is the Favorite for EURO 2008

Marco van Basten is one of the top strikers of modern Holland football team. He has retired many years ago, but Marco van Basten and Ruud Gullit helped their team to win EURO 1988 for their national team Holland. van Basten also played a considerable part of his professional football life in Italy’s top team AC Milan. van Basten thinks that Italy is one of the top favorites to win EURO 2008. Of course, Italy will have to overcome their opponents in their group. Italy is with Holland, France, Romania and this group is considered to be group of death by many people.

The main strength of Italy perhaps lies in defense. So, let us see if the prediction of van Basten comes true. Of course, many Holland fans will not b happy with van Basten’s prediction.

Raul Left out of Spain EURO 2008 Squad

Spanish striker Raul failed to impress Coach Luis Aragones to get a recall to the National team as he has been left out of the 23-men squad of Spain for EURO 2008. However, Real Madrid captain has been in an excellent form so far this season with 18 goals to his credit and currently stands third in the top scorers’ list. Overall, the striker hit 23 goals so far this season for Real Madrid. So, it was a bit disappointing that once Captain of Spain international will remain out of the squad in EURO 2008, even though he is in good form. He is out of national side since September 2008 and something like this was in the air for the last few months.

I think, Raul deserves a place in the Spanish side. Though there are some promising strikers like Fernando Torres in the squad, still I think, the 30-year old Raul has a lot to give to Spain. Now, let us see if Spain can perform well in EURO 2008 tournament.

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EURO 2008

Opera Singer Natasha Marsh Gave her Voice to EURO 2008 Theme Song

Natasha Marsh will give her voice to the EURO 2008 anthem for ITV’s coverage of the biggest European football tournament. EURO 2008 is due to start from 7 June 2008. Natasha Marsh is an opera singer in Welsh and sings Queen Of The Night aria from Mozart’s The Magic Flute. Upon the music score, the 27-year old opera singer expressed that he had been delighted to do it. EURO 2008 is organized jointly by Switzerland and Austria.

BBC reported:

"I was delighted to do it," she said. "I love the passion, beauty and power that football and music share."

Marsh's debut album Amour went straight in at the top of the UK classical charts last year.

The aria is said to be one of the most demanding in opera because it requires sopranos to hit a high F6 note.

I think, it is very prestigious for the opera singer to have performed in a world-class tournament that has a huge fan following. The tournament kicks off with hosts Switzerland taking on Czech Republic in the opening day of the tournament.

Euro 2008 without Clarence Seedorf

Euro is undoubtedly the second most prestigious football event only after World Cup football. It is the dream of many players to play in Euro event. There is les than 1 month before the start of Euro 2008 and everyone is busy with last minute preparations. The coaches of different countries are busy with finalizing their teams. Many players are anxiously waiting whether they can get a chance in their national squad or not. However, it seems that one player is not concerned about this matter at all. Netherlands midfielder Clarence Seedorf has decided that he will not play for his country in upcoming Euro 2008. He has come out in pubic and stated this desire of not playing.

Clarence Seedorf is annoyed with the coach of Netherlands national team Marco van Basten and that is why he has taken this decision.

IHT worte:

"Since my return to the national team, the right conditions have not been created to let me perform at my best and to effectively excel as the team member I always strive to be," the 32-year-old Seedorf said in a statement. "We have seen from the past that some negative issues with the national team and players are recurring."

Seedorf, who has scored 11 goals in 87 appearances for the Netherlands, called Van Basten on Monday to tell the coach of his decision, the Dutch soccer federation said.

Clarence Seedorf is an experienced player and I think that Dutch soccer federation should try to bring him back in the team.

Otto Rehhagel Gearing up for Another Success for Greece in EURO 2008?

Even just four years ago, Greece was not a major football playing nation in the world. However, since they won the 2004 EURO tournament, they are considered as one of the top football playing countries in the world. In fact, Greece stands eighth in FIFA World Ranking at this moment.

The man who turned Greek football team around is its German coach Otto Rehhagel, who led Greece to win its first major football title in EURO 2004 tournament. Following EURO success, coach Otto Rehhagel has become one of the popular celebrities in the country and he is known as ‘King Otto’ in the country. However, Greece failed to qualify for the 2006 World Cup Football, but still Greece Football Federation has its belief on him. Recently, Otto Rehhagel has signed a new contract with Greece football federation by which he will be coaching Greek national football team till 2010. The coach said that there was a emotional bond which forced him to sign the new contract.

Canadian Press reported:

"There's an emotional bond, and that's the main reason I decided to stay ... I couldn't refuse," Rehhagel said. "When there's that bond with the players and a great relationship with the federation, it's difficult to say you won't continue."

Instead, "King Otto" stayed with Greece and led the team to the best record in Euro 2008 qualifying with 10 wins, one draw and one loss.

"I've said it many times: I think his (decision to extend his contract) is the best thing that could happen for the national team," Greece captain Angelos Basinas said.

I think, Greece football federation has done the right thing by extending the contract with Otto Rehhagel. Greece football federation could understand that he is right person to bring out more success for the team and build up Greece as one of the challenging power in world football. Otto Rehhagel has reputation for his defensive style of football, which was proven right in EURO 2004 as Greece played defensive football and emerged winner of the tournament. What is next for Otto Rehhagel, EURO 2008 title? Let’s see.

Samsung Introduced Samsung Guru200 Mobile Phone in India

Do you wish to record your favorite song in your mobile phone from radio? If it is yes, then Samsung Guru200 mobile phone is for you. This entry level mobile phone provides with 5 minutes recording facility from radio at a time. So, if you want a special song or a special moment of your favorite program to be saved in your mobile phone, Samsung Guru200 is here for you.

The South Korean company launched Samsung Guru200 which costs only Rs. 3,000. It features speaker phone, MP3 ring tones, and Java games. It comes equipped with Bollywood ring tones. An Indian calendar with the holidays of the country is also available in Samsung Guru200 mobile phone.

No doubt, it is for the entry level users and those who are interested to get a phone to be used roughly in everyday life, Samsung Guru200 seems to be a perfect one. Taking its price tag into account, I have to say that it is worthy a set for the price sensitive Indian market.

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